Methods and systems for depiction of project data via transmogrification using fractal-based structures

ABSTRACT

In a system for efficiently organizing, storing, accessing, and analyzing project data and for visualizing project progress, for a specified project, a reference fractal-based structure is selected based on, at least in part, the type of the specified project and/or a mapping between project types and reference fractal-based structures. The project files are organized and stored in a file structure that corresponds to the selected reference fractal-based structure, so that the file structure can be transmogrified displayed as a viewable fractal-based structure, that can indicate process of different tasks and subtasks of the project based on, in part, the status of the tasks and subtasks that is derived from the project files.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/892,749, entitled “Methods and Systems forDepiction of Project Data via Transmogrification using Fractal-BasedStructures” and filed on Aug. 28, 2019, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

A typical project management system generally includes a computer serveror cloud-computing based digital file and data management system thatutilizes software. In most instances, physical copies of these files anddata exist and are stored in a physical system like office drawers orfolders. In typical systems, the method of uploading, organizing,sorting, storing, accessing and viewing files and data is manual andperformed primarily or exclusively by humans. In these systems files anddata are added in an ad hoc manner by humans and manually assigned to aspecific digital or physical folder. When files or project data areplaced in a specific folder or drawer they are siloed and cannot beviewed unless the user has pre-existing knowledge of the system andproject data and can thereby manually recall the file or use a searchengine to return it. Furthermore, in order to store files and projectdata, one must have pre-existing knowledge of the structure of thesystem otherwise project data can be misplaced or unnecessarilyduplicated.

Due to the ad hoc nature of typical project management systems, thesetypical systems have two major shortfalls: they do not provide a visualdepiction of the progress of the overall project in terms of its varioustasks and subtasks, unless the status of these tasks and subtasks areentered into the system. They also do not provide feedback on or managethe project data. For example, if one opens a folder in a typicalproject management system, one can only see the contents of the openfolder and the sub-contents of any sub-folders that are also open. Inthis case, one cannot see the relationship of the viewable project datato the project data that is contained within closed folders andsub-folders. Project data is oftentimes relevant to the progress of aproject and therefore much of the significance of the project data islost when one can't see the visual relationship. Furthermore, thesetypical systems do not provide feedback on or manage project data,provided in various files. For example, typical project managementsystems do not notify the user if a file's validity has expired or ifthe status of the progress has advanced/regressed due to theaddition/deletion of a file(s).

Typical project management systems require significant manual userinput, effort, and time. These project management systems areinefficient and do not adequately manage project data. Furthermore,existing project management systems fail to adequately provide twocritical functions for project development: a visual depiction of theprogress of the various tasks and subtasks and feedback on project data.

SUMMARY

In various embodiments, according to the techniques described herein,massive amounts of information can be quickly and intuitively graspedand understood by using algorithms to efficiently upload, sort,organize, store, and transpose project data and files into visualhomologues which represent forms already familiar to the observer. Someembodiments include features to search and retrieve project data andfiles in a manner that relates to project progress.

Despite the human brain's remarkable ability to absorb informationefficiently, understanding the architecture and content of large andcomplex sets of data remains a time consuming and at times extremelydifficult proposition. The current limitations of project managementsystems do not facilitate the rapid cognition necessary for efficientand precise project development. These management systems themselvesrequire a significant amount of human effort and time to implement andmaintain with files, project data, and tasks and sub-tasks entered intothe system manually.

Of all the senses, vision is the most powerful in terms of the quantity,quality and diversity of data that can be processed. The human brainprocesses visual information over 60,000 times quicker than other typesof information.

Various embodiments described herein transmogrify and depict projectdata as visual homologues that have forms familiar to an observer and,as such, serve as a cognitive bridge and enable the user to efficientlyaccess and view the information, search for and retrieve information,collect data on organizational methods, view history of user interactionwith and manipulation of files an data, receive feedback on the projectdata, view project task and subtask progress, and view overall projectprogression.

Accordingly, in one aspect, a method is provided for efficientlyorganizing, storing, searching and retrieving, accessing, and analyzingproject data and for visualizing project progress. The method includes:selecting for a specified project, a reference fractal-based structurebased on, at least in part: (i) type of the specified project and (ii) amapping between project types and reference fractal-based structures.The method also includes organizing and storing by a processor, that canbe part of a cloud-based system, several project files in a filestructure corresponding to the selected reference fractal-basedstructure. In addition, the method includes transmogrifying by theprocessor, or a cloud-based system, the file structure into a digitallyproduced viewable fractal-based structure, and displaying by theprocessor, or a cloud-based system, the viewable fractal-basedstructure.

In some embodiments, the reference structured is constructed usingfractal geometry principles. In other embodiments, the referencestructure is constructed using principles of Lindenmayer systems. Inother embodiments, the reference structure can be hierarchal forcedirected or based on other sorting methods suitable for a large numberof networks. In some embodiments, the reference structure may beconstructed using a combination of the aforementioned methods.

The reference fractal-based structure may include a nature-basedstructure, and the viewable fractal-based structure may include thenature-based structure. The nature-based structure may include a treestructure or a plant structure, where the tree and/or plant structuresinclude one or more branches and a number of leaves. A first branch inthe one or more branches may include a second branch, e.g., asub-branch, and the second branch may have one or more leaves.

In some embodiments, the file structure includes one or more foldersrespectively corresponding to the one or more branches, and each filefrom the several files corresponds to a respective leaf in the number ofleaves or to a subset of the one or more branches or sub-branches. Afirst file in the several files may be associated with a first projecttask, and the viewable fractal-based structure may include a firstbranch corresponding to the first project task. The first file mayindicate a status of the first project task and transmogrifying the filestructure into the viewable fractal-based structure may includeselecting a visual attribute of an element of the viewable fractal-basedstructure according to the status of the first project task.

In some embodiments, a first file in the several files is associatedwith a first project task, and indicates that a status of the firstproject task is “spawning of a subtask.” Accordingly, the method mayfurther include receiving by the processor or a cloud-based system asecond file corresponding to the subtask, modifying by the processor orthe cloud-based system the file structure according to the subtask, andstoring the second file in the modified file structure. The method mayalso include transmogrifying by the processor or the cloud-based systemthe modified file structure into a modified viewable fractal-basedstructure, and displaying by the processor or the cloud-based system themodified viewable fractal-based structure.

In some embodiments, the selected reference fractal-based structure mayinclude several reference branches, each reference branch correspondingto a particular project task from a set of project tasks. A firstreference branch may be associated with a first project task and mayinclude a subset of the plurality of reference branches, where eachreference branch in the subset corresponds to a respective sub-taskassociated with the first project task. A respective unique mnemonic maybe associated with each reference branch, and the project file structuremay include several folders, where each folder may be associated with aparticular reference branch. A folder name of a folder associated with aparticular reference branch may include the unique mnemonic associatedwith that particular reference branch. In some embodiments, the methodincludes receiving a new file having a filename that includes a filenamemnemonic, identifying a reference branch in the selected referencefractal-based structure associated with a mnemonic matching with thefilename mnemonic, and storing the new file in a folder associated withthe identified reference branch.

In some embodiments, the viewable fractal-based structure includesseveral viewable branches, where each viewable branch corresponds to aparticular reference branch in the several reference branches.Displaying the viewable fractal-based structure may include modifying avisual representation of a viewable branch corresponding to theidentified reference branch. Modifying the visual representation mayinclude: rendering the viewable branch, changing a color of the viewablebranch, or adding a leaf to the viewable branch, where the leaf isassociated with the new stored file.

In some embodiments, the method includes intercepting storage of a newfile in a folder, where a filename of the new file includes a filenamemnemonic. Additionally, the method may include identifying a mnemonicassociated with a reference branch corresponding to the folder, andpermitting the storage, if the filename mnemonic matches with theidentified mnemonic, and otherwise preventing the storage. In someembodiments, where the filename mnemonic and the identified mnemonic aredetermined to have mismatched, the method further includes displaying amessage prompting a user to change the filename or to select a differentfolder. Upon a response from the user, the method may include repeatingthe intercepting, identifying and permitting or preventing steps using achanged filename or the different folder. The message may include asuggested candidate filename or a suggested candidate folder.

In some embodiments, the viewable fractal-based structure includesseveral viewable branches, where each viewable branch corresponds to aparticular reference branch in the several reference branches.Displaying the viewable fractal-based structure may include modifying avisual representation of a viewable branch that corresponds to areference branch associated with the identified mnemonic. Modifying thevisual representation may include rendering the viewable branch,changing a color of the viewable branch, or adding a leaf to theviewable branch, where the leaf may be associated with the new file.

In some embodiments, the viewable fractal-based structure includes aninteractive fractal-based structure. The method may include, in responseto selection by the user of an element of the interactive fractal-basedstructure, accessing and displaying a corresponding folder or file. Theinteractive fractal-based structure may be displayed in a first displaypanel. Moreover, the file structure may be displayed simultaneously in asecond display panel. The method may include, in response to adding,deleting, or modifying by the user a file or a folder in the filestructure, changing a visual attribute of a corresponding element of theviewable fractal-based structure. The method may also include searchingfor one or more files or folders based on a search term or a combinationof terms. The file folder and/or associated files and folders may beretrieved by the processor or the cloud-based system, and subsequentlydisplayed with annotations in the interactive structure that isdisplayed in a display panel. The annotations can be performed usingcolor and/or other visual indicators, such as the use of highlighting,change in transparency etc.

In some embodiments, the viewable fractal-based structure includes aninteractive two-dimensional structure or an interactivethree-dimensional structure. Displaying the viewable fractal-basedstructure may include displaying the interactive two-dimensionalstructure or the interactive three-dimensional structure in a virtualreality (VR) environment. The viewable fractal-based structure may bedisplayed in a first panel in a multi-panel dashboard. The multi-paneldashboard may include a calendar, a team table, or a news feed, eachcorresponding to one or more tasks corresponding to at least a portionof the viewable fractal-based structure.

In some embodiments, the reference fractal-based structure includes anature-based structure, and the viewable fractal-based structureincludes the nature-based structure. The nature-based structure mayinclude a tree structure or a plant structure, and the tree and/or plantstructures may include a root structure.

In some embodiments, the transmogrification includes presenting one ormore views of the file structure, where each view indicates the statusor progress of one or more respective tasks of the specified project.Presenting a first view of the one or more views may include displayinga file folder in the file system using a first shape (e.g., a circle,square, rectangle, triangle etc.), wherein the file folder correspondsto a task or a subtask of the specified project. Presenting the firstview may also include displaying a file in the file system using asecond, different shape (e.g., a circle, square, rectangle, triangleetc.), wherein the file corresponds to an action associated with thetask or the subtask.

In some embodiments, presenting the first view may include displaying afirst file folder in the file structure in a first color or a first sizeand displaying a second file folder in the file structure in a secondcolor or a second size. Alternatively or in addition, presenting thefirst view may include displaying a first file in the file structure ina first color or a first size and displaying a second file in the filestructure in a second color or a second size. The first view can be oneof task-status view, task-importance view, task-dependence view, projectspecial aspects view, and filtered task status view. One or more viewsmay be displayed side-by-side or may be aggregated and superimposed forthe display thereof.

In another aspect, a system is for efficiently organizing, storing,accessing, and analyzing project data and for visualizing projectprogress. The system includes a processor and a display unit inelectronic communication with the processor. The system can be acloud-based system. The system also includes a memory in communicationwith the processor, where the memory includes instructions which, whenexecuted by the processor, program the processor to: select for aspecified project, a reference fractal-based structure based on, atleast in part: (i) type of the specified project and (ii) a mappingbetween project types and reference fractal-based structures. Theinstructions also program the processor to organize and store severalproject files in a file structure corresponding to the selectedreference fractal-based structure.

In addition, the instructions program the processor to transmogrify anddigitally produce, based on at least in part an aspect ratio of thedisplay unit, the file structure into a viewable fractal-basedstructure, and to display the viewable fractal-based structure on thedisplay unit. In various embodiments, the processor may be programmed toperform one or more of the method steps described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an example flow process chart of the algorithm method;

FIG. 2 shows an example hierarchy of high-level tasks, sub-tasks, andinter-related tasks;

FIG. 3 shows an example of a reference fractal-based structure accordingto an example embodiment;

FIG. 4 shows an example of a reference fractal-based structure accordingto an example embodiment;

FIG. 5 shows an example of a reference fractal-based structure accordingto an example embodiment;

FIG. 6 shows an example of the fractal geometry concept ofself-similarity;

FIG. 7 shows an example file structure compared with an examplereference fractal-based structure according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 8 shows an example folder and file structure compared to an exampleviewable fractal-based structure according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 9 shows an example viewable fractal-based structure according to anexample embodiment;

FIG. 10 shows a detail of an example viewable fractal-based structureaccording to an example embodiment with hyperlinks and annotations;

FIG. 11 shows an example dashboard according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 12 shows an example of the transmogrification of an example folderstructure and the resulting example viewable fractal-based structureaccording to an example embodiment; and

FIGS. 13A-13D depict different views, according to differentembodiments, of a transmogrified file system corresponding to an exampleproject.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Software Application

In an example embodiment, a software application is provided that allowsusers to upload, sort, organize, store, access and view files andproject data and visualize this information after transmogrificationthereof. In an example embodiment, a user can access a web-browserapplication hosted by a service provider. In another embodiment, a usercan download an application from a service provider to a smart device orvirtual reality hardware. In another embodiment a user can download anapplication from a service provider to a computer desktop or virtualreality hardware. In yet another embodiment, the software can bedownloaded or installed to a server.

In an example embodiment, the system allows humans to discuss,collaborate and work with project data in an efficient manner. Thesystem enables opportunity identification, vision and strategicplanning, project definition and oversight, and assessment feedback forproject development.

In some embodiments, automated deep learning methods, artificialintelligence, or other similar smart learning algorithms are used toanalyze the progress of a task or project through the file view. In someembodiments, these technologies and algorithms are used to forecastfuture events, such as the probability of project success based on datacollected from the project and/or other projects in the system.

In some embodiments, transmogrification of the file structure includesan interactive visual time-series display which accesses and displaysthe historical status or progress of one or more respective tasks or anentire project at various points in time. In some embodiments, thedisplay can visualize and playback a moving image showing the changes instatus over a time range selected by the user. In these embodiments, theinteractive display can be used to understand and present projectprogression.

In some embodiments, the interactive display shows a history of userinteraction with a file, folder, or a number of files and folders. Userinteraction may include information about files and folders such as:date uploaded, user who uploaded the file/folder, date modified, type ofmodification, user responsible for modification, view count, identitiesof users who have viewed a particular file/folder, and other relevantdata that may be stored by the processor or a cloud-based system. Insome embodiments, the interactive display visualizes this informationbased on criteria set by a user using color and other visual indicatorssuch as highlighting or transparency. For example, if a user sets thesystem criteria to display information on files and folders viewed by afirst user in a specified time frame, a branch or leaf of the visualstructure may be highlighted and displayed in a first color to signifythat those branches and leaves met the specified criteria. In yetanother embodiment, the interactive display may display the userinteraction data for a specified file or folder within the structurewhen a user hovers a mouse icon over a particular file or folder. Insome embodiments users are provided with specific icons that may includetheir photo, initials, name or another identifier. This information maybe displayed as part of the visual information shown in the interactivedisplay.

Algorithms

In an example embodiment, a series of algorithms can upload, sort,organize, store, search, access and view files. In an exampleembodiment, a file is uploaded to the system by a user FIG. 1 101. Insome embodiments, the algorithms perform using input meta-data enteredmanually by the user 102. For example, input meta-data can include thefile name, the project name, the file type, or a specific folder wherethe file belongs. In some embodiments, the algorithms can analyze thefile to identify input data 103. For example, the algorithm can analyzetext or numerical data contained within a file and perform according tothis 103-104. Some examples of input data that the algorithms canidentify within the file include project name, file date, and file type.An example of a file type is an environmental permit or a land lease.

In some embodiments the algorithm can sort and store the file based onuser input meta-data 102, 104, 108 or from input meta-data derived frompredictions based on the data analyzed within a file or other fileswithin the system 103, 104. For example, the algorithm can identify alocation for a file based on the location of similar files. In someembodiments, the algorithm can propose the creation of a new locationfor a file if a suitable location is not detected and store the file inthe newly created location 105, 107, 108. In some embodiments, thealgorithm may reject the file and may not upload the file into thesystem, if a suitable file name is not input or if a suitable locationis not available or selected.

In some embodiments, the algorithm can store the file in the system ifthe location determined by the algorithm already exists 104, 108. Insome embodiments, the algorithms can adjust their own parameters basedon previous performance. In some embodiments the aforementioned actionscan be performed according to a reference fractal-based structure. In anexample embodiment, a reference fractal-based structure is a pre-definedhierarchy of folders that is used to sort and store files.

Example Project

In an example embodiment, the project can be a wind energy project. Inanother embodiment it can be a solar energy project, while in yetanother embodiment it can be a real-estate construction project. Inthese example embodiments, large amounts of data and documentation aretypically required in order to successfully develop, finance, andconstruct, inter alia, these projects.

In some embodiments, a project can have high level tasks FIG. 2 201-203,which are essential to the project. For example, some high-level tasksfor a wind project include obtaining environmental 201, interconnection202, and construction approvals 203, among others. High level tasks canalso have sub-tasks 204-208. For example, in order to obtain anenvironmental approval, geology studies 204, ecology studies 205 andenvironmental impact assessments 206 need to be conducted. Similarly, inorder to obtain interconnection approval 202, technical feasibilitystudies 207 must be conducted and requests for interconnection approval208 must be submitted. Some tasks/subtasks, such ecological study may beessential, while other tasks, such as property value impact of newlyinstalled power lines may be beneficial but optional.

In some embodiments, sub-tasks within a particular task can beinter-dependent. For example, the sub-task of conducting environmentalimpact assessments 206 cannot be initiated until the sub-task ofconducting ecology studies 205 is completed. Similarly, different taskscan be inter-dependent. For example, in order to obtain a constructionpermit 203, an environmental permit 201 must first be obtained.

In an example embodiment, projects are assigned a 4-letter mnemonicbased on their name. For example, a project named the Black Sea WindProject can be assigned the 4-letter mnemonic name “BSWP.” In someembodiments, projects mnemonics can be generated based on a geographicor industry-related factor. For example, a project's mnemonic could bederived from the 3-letter code of the nearest airport with a 4^(th)letter signifying the type of project. In this manner, a hotel projectlocated in Odessa, where the nearest airport bears the code ODS, couldbe assigned the mnemonic “ODSH.” A project type could be hotel, windfarm, bridge construction, among others. In some embodiments, the usercan manually assign the mnemonic. In some embodiments, the system canautomatically generate a mnemonic.

In an example embodiments, tasks and sub-tasks can also be assigned amnemonic. For example, environmental tasks can be assigned the mnemonic“ENVS” and sub-tasks of approvals or studies can be assigned themnemonics of “APRV” and “STUD,” respectively. In some embodiments userscan manually create and assign specific mnemonics to tasks andsub-tasks. In some embodiments, algorithms can analyze a file andautomatically generate mnemonics based on data within the file. In yetanother embodiment, algorithms can automatically generate mnemonicsbased on past feedback and comparing a file against other files in thesystem.

Reference Based Structures

A reference structure is a pre-defined structure for sorting andorganizing folders, subfolders, and files. In an example embodiment,reference structures employ fractal geometry. In another exampleembodiment, reference structures employ a Lindenmayer system. In yetanother example embodiment, reference structures can be defined byhierarchical, force directed, and other sorting methods for large numbernetworks.

Reference Fractal-Based Structure

In an example embodiment, a user selects a reference fractal-basedstructure based on the project type. A reference structure is apre-defined structure for sorting and organizing folders, subfolders,and files. Examples of a reference fractal-based structure include adeciduous tree (FIG. 3), a sequoia tree (FIG. 4), a cactus (FIG. 5) oranother fractal natural structure that features self-similarity (made upof smaller copies of itself) (FIG. 6).

In an example embodiment the reference fractal-based structure iscomprised of branches, sub-branches, leaves, roots, and other features(FIGS. 3-6). In some embodiments, the reference-structure can be editedmanually. For example, a user can add, delete or reposition attributesof the reference structure including branches, sub-branches and leaves.

In an example embodiment, project types are associated with differentkinds of reference structures. For example, various wind projects may beassociated with deciduous tree reference structures. In another example,various solar projects may be associated with cactus referencestructures.

In an example embodiment, projects of the same type can be associatedwith the same reference structures, but the reference structure canappear differently based on project specific inputs. For example, twodifferent wind projects can use a deciduous tree reference structure.One wind project might be located in an emerging market with cumbersomedocumentation requirements for obtaining a construction permit. In thiscase, over 10,000 files related to construction permit documentationmight need to be sorted and uploaded. The second wind project might belocated in a developed market with fewer construction permitrequirements. This project might require that 1,000 files related toconstruction permit are sorted and uploaded. Consequently, the deciduoustree reference structure used for Project 1 might have longer branchesand more sub-branches to accommodate the larger number of files andincreased complexity of the Project 1 compared to the deciduous treereference structure used for Project 2.

Folder Structure

In an example embodiment, each particular task and sub-task correspondsto a folder or sub-folder with each folder and sub-folder (FIG. 7 703)corresponding to a branch or sub-branch 704 on the referencefractal-based structure (FIGS. 3-6). In the same respect, files 705correspond to leaves or needles 706 on the reference structure.

In an example embodiment, the folder and sub-folder names can includethe mnemonics of the corresponding tasks and sub-tasks. For example, ifa mnemonic of “ENVS” is used for environmental tasks, then theenvironmental tasks folder name can be assigned the mnemonic “ENVS.”Similarly, if the sub-task of conducting a study is assigned themnemonic “STUD,” then the sub-folder for environmental studies can beassigned the mnemonics “ENVS” and “STUD.”

Viewable Fractal-Based Structure

In an example embodiment, the reference fractal-based structure isviewable. FIG. 9 shows an overview of an example of a viewablefractal-based structure with branches and sub-branches As seen in FIG.8, branches of the reference structure 802 can include sub-branches,sub-sub-branches, and so forth since the reference structure is fractalbased. These branches and other sub-branches 802 are associated with aparticular folder or sub-folder in the underlying reference structure asshown in 801. The branches and sub-branches of the viewablefractal-based structure 802 are hyperlinked, as shown in FIG. 10 1003,to the associated content.

In an example embodiment, any branch or sub-branch on the viewablefractal-based structure can have leaves or needles 804, where each leafor needle is associated with a particular file on the underlyingreference structure 803 and can be linked to that file.

In an example embodiment, the size and shape of a branch or sub-branchon the viewable reference-structure is determined by the number ofsub-folders contained within the corresponding folder or sub-folder. Forexample, if a branch corresponds to a folder which contains manysub-folders, then the branch will be long with the requisite number ofsub-branches to correspond to the sub-folders. Similarly, if a folder orsub-folder has many files, then the corresponding branch or sub-branchwill have many leaves or needles. In some embodiments, the size of abranch or sub-branch can be determined by the weighted importance of thetask, as defined by the reference fractal-based structure.

File Management

In an example embodiment, a user can name a file according to themnemonics assigned to the project and ask the system to store the file.The system algorithms will select the appropriate folder or sub-folderaccording to the filename, by selecting a branch or sub-branch with themnemonic(s) that match the filename. The system will then store the filein the folder or sub-folder that is associated with that branch orsub-branch.

In an example embodiment, if a user attempts to manually add a file tothe folders and sub-folders within the reference structure, the systemwill verify whether the filename and any mnemonics assigned to thefilename match the mnemonic(s) associated with the selected branch. Insome embodiments, if there is a mismatch, the system may prompt the userto create a new branch or sub-branch if a branch with matching mnemonicsdoes not exist. This new branch would be assigned a mnemonic and thesystem would simultaneously generate a new folder or sub-foldercorresponding to this branch. The file would be stored in the new folderor sub-folder. For example, if a user tries to add a land lease file tothe environmental studies sub-folder with the mnemonics “ENVS” and“STUD,” folder for land documents does not exist already, the systemwould prompt the user to create land folder with a new mnemonic. Anexample of this new mnemonic is “LAND.”

If a mismatch occurs when a user tries to manually add a file, but anexisting folder or sub-folder matches the mnemonics of the file, thesystem will prompt the user to assign the file to the matching folder orsub-folder.

Transmogrification

In an example embodiment, the visual transmogrification of the filestructure into the viewable fractal-based structure communicatesinformation about project data and the project status to the user. FIG.12 shows an example transmogrification of an example underlying filestructure with folders and files 1201 to an example viewablefractal-based structure with branches, sub-branches, and leaves 1202.

In an example embodiment, information about project data and projectstatus is conveyed through the use of color and visual changes to theviewable fractal-based structure. For example, when a project iscomplete, the viewable fractal-based structure can be shown in green. Insome embodiments, a branch of the viewable fractal-based structure isonly visible when a file associated with that branch is stored.

In some embodiments, a branch (and its sub-branches, leaves or needles)is shown as a color or texture before files are added. For example,referring again to FIG. 9, the entire viewable fractal-based structurecould be “grayed-out” or black 901 when branches do not contain anyassociated files. When a file is stored, the corresponding branch orsub-branch can change color. For example, when the first file is addedto the branch it can turn orange. When additional files are added to thebranch it can turn yellow 902, eventually turning to green when all keyfiles are added. In some embodiments if a file is added, modified, ordeleted the color of the leaf corresponding to the change. For example,if a file is not updated within a pre-set period of time, the leaf canturn brown.

In some embodiments, color or attributes of a color, includingbrightness, saturation, and intensity, can be used to signify if a fileis missing or requires attention. For example, if a high-level task orfile is missing and is required in order to obtain another file orcomplete another task, then the corresponding branch and/or leaf can bebright red 902. In some embodiments, rather than changing the color,other visual indicators may be used such as changing the shading of theshape representing the file/folder, adding a pattern to the shape,changing a single-line border of the shape to a double-line border,changing the size of the shape, etc.

In the file and folder structure depicted in FIGS. 7, 8, and 12, thefiles and folders, along with their respective names, appear inverted sothat the file/folder structure can be visually compared to thecorresponding reference tree structure. In some embodiments, thefile/folder names are shown right-side up for readability, even thoughthe file/folder structure is inverted, i.e., the root folder is at thebottom, and the branches leading to subfolders, sub-sub-folders, andfiles expand upward. In some cases, the file/folder structure is shownright side up, i.e., with the root folder on top and the branchesexpanding downward, and the reference structure may be inverted tofacilitate visual comparison.

It should be understood that FIGS. 7, 8, and 12 illustrate the structureof the file system. An analysis of the overall structure of the filesystem, to determine whether the file-system structure resembles ordiffers from a reference structure, does not typically depend on theparticular names of the file(s) and/or folder(s). In general, however,as described above, a naming convention or scheme may be imposed on thenames of different folder(s) and/or file(s).

Interactive User Interface (UI)/Virtual Reality (VR) Interface

In an example embodiment, there is an interactive user interface wherethe viewable fractal-based structure and the underlying file systeminteract. In some embodiments, the interactive user interface isdisplayed using virtual reality hardware and becomes a virtual realityinterface. For example, a viewer could use a virtual reality headset toview the user interface. The virtual reality interface can be displayedin 2 and/or 3-dimensions.

In an example embodiment, a folder or file can be displayed when thecorresponding branch, leaf or needle is clicked. In some embodiments, acorresponding branch or leaf is highlighted upon selecting or opening aparticular file. In an example embodiment, a user can zoom in and out ofthe viewable fractal-based structure. In some embodiments, when userszoom in on a branch or area of the structure, additional sub-branches,leaves and needles that were assigned as lower priority can appear. Forexample, this could include low-level tasks or sub-sub-sub-folders thatcannot be displayed when the entire viewable fractal-based structure isshown.

In another embodiment, users can navigate along the branches andsub-branches of the viewable fractal-based structure with annotationsabout the corresponding tasks and information about the status orprogress of the tasks appearing. In an example embodiment, a dashboardFIG. 11 presents the viewable fractal-based structure and other visualinformation. In some embodiments, the viewable fractal-based structureif featured in the center of the dashboard 1101. In some embodiments,the viewable fractal-based structure can be moved and rearranged on thedashboard by a user.

In an example embodiment, the dashboard features a task panel 1102 whereusers can add tasks or to-do items. Tasks can be sorted in a variety ofways. For example a user can sort by personal tasks. The user can alsosort by team tasks or tasks for a specific project or sub-group withinan organization.

In an example embodiment, the with a calendar 1103 listing the taskscorresponding to at least a portion of the viewable fractal basedstructure. In some embodiments the calendar lists tasks by upcoming dateor date past due. In some embodiments the calendar lists tasks based onwhich branch(es) of the viewable fractal-based structure are selected.In an example embodiment, the dashboard features a news feed 1104related to the tasks. In some embodiments the news feed displays themost recent news or updates. In some embodiments the news feed isfiltered by criteria including relevance, priority, project, or topic,among others.

In some embodiments, a system according to the techniques describedherein provides feedback on project data in terms of the status of thetasks. For example the system according to some embodiments candetermine the status of a particular task/subtask based on the presenceor absence of a particular file, a feature that is lacking inconventional systems. Another example of feedback on data can be anindication provide to a user that a permit that was previously obtainedis no longer valid. In some embodiments, the system can determine thisby recognizing a permit expiration date in the permit file and bycomparing the expiration date with the current date. In yet anotherexample, the system may become aware of new law or regulation that iseffective as of a certain date and that may make certain projectdocuments outdated/invalid.

In various embodiments, the system can provide visual feedback on theimpact that external events and information may have on the projectdata. Examples of external events and information include macroeconomicdata or events, news events, political events, etc. In some embodiments,the system communicates with external sources to access relevantinformation. Additionally, or in the alternative, the externalinformation may be input by the user(s).

In some embodiments, the system may analyze the macroeconomic data, newsevents, political events, etc., and may determine whether theseevents/data are relevant to the stored projects data, and then providefeedback on which project data is impacted. For example, in someembodiments, the system scans RSS feeds and/or other newsfeeds toidentify the type of information noted above. As an example, suppose thesystem extracts information from an RSS feed that the World Bank willnow offer highly incentivized financing opportunities for utility scalealternative energy in OECD countries. If the system is managingproject(s) in an OECD country, the system may provide an alert thatthose project(s) may be eligible for the new financing opportunity. Thesystem may update its fractal-based structure to represent new tasks anddata associated with this new information.

In some embodiments, the project/task management system can infer anddepict relationships between the project data that is being viewed by aparticular user at a particular time, and project data contained inclosed folders and sub-folders, that are not viewed by the user at thattime. In general, using conventional systems a user cannot see the“bigger picture.” For example, consider a user viewing the contents of aconstruction drawer/folder. Unless the user has prior knowledge of theproject, or has previously opened other drawers/folders and has reviewedthe contents thereof, the users may not know that other drawers/foldersmay contain documents that are relevant to those in the constructiondrawer/folder, such as, e.g., financing documents, environmentaldocuments, etc. The user of a conventional system may also not knowabout any task dependencies between the tasks to which the documents inthe different folders relate, and the status of various such tasks andsubtasks.

For example, a physical office drawer or file folder in a conventionalsystem cannot tell a user that prior to undertaking a particulartask/subtask (e.g., submitting Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)),the user must wait until the prerequisite task(s)/subtask(s) (e.g.,obtaining the approval for a Detailed Plan of Territory) is/arecompleted. Note that the EIA and DPT documents in this example wouldmost likely be stored in two completely different folders and siloed intraditional systems. For example, one set of documents may be in theenvironmental matters folder the other set of documents may be in theland matters folder.

In various embodiments, the reference fractal-based structure would beaware of these relationships and can provide visual feedback to the userabout the status of the related folders and associated tasks whileaccessing a particular folder. For example, upon accessing a document inenvironmental matters folder, an embodiment of the system can displaythe status of the tasks associated with the document(s) in the landmatters folder. Specific dependencies between tasks and subtasks may beannotated based on the presence/absence of the file(s) that are relatedto such tasks and subtasks and that may be located in the same ordifferent folders.

In some embodiments, a relationship of a document in onefolder/subfolder to a document in another folder/subfolder, where thereis not task dependency between the tasks corresponding to thosedocuments, may be presented to a user. For example, if a user noticesthat a land lease was approved by a particular government agency, theuser can then request all other documents related to the project thatare also signed by that government agency. In general, the project datamay be filtered using a suitable filter, e.g. (an approving agency) and,in response, the leaves and branches on the tree that contain therelevant mnemonics and/documents corresponding to selection/filteringcriteria would be highlighted.

FIG. 13A illustrates transmogrification of a file structure underlyingan example project into a viewable fractal-based structure thatcorresponds to a reference fractal-based structure corresponding to theproject. In particular, in the viewable fractal-based structure 1300,the project folders are represented by squares (e.g., 1302, 1304, 1308,1312 etc.), and the project files are represented as circles 1310 a-1310c, 1314 a-1314 c, etc. In general, the folders may represent tasks,subtasks, sub-sub-tasks etc. of the project, and the files may representthe operations or actions required to complete a particular task or asubtask. The entire project may be represented by a root-level folder,i.e., the folder 1302.

For example, the root-level folder may represent a project ofconstructing a new hydro-electric power plant. A project of this scalewould naturally include several tasks. For instance, task 1304 mayrepresent constructing access roads to transport dam constructionmaterials, turbine equipment, and electrical power distributionequipment to the project site. Task 1306 may represent environmentalimpact analysis of the project. Each of these and other tasks mayinclude subtasks, where one or more subtasks may include one or morelower level subtasks. A particular task or a subtask may include one ormore actions that must be taken and completed in order to complete thetask or subtask.

In a task-status view, transmogrification may include color codingfolders and files corresponding to various tasks, sub-tasks, and actionsso as to provide a visual indication of the respective status of one ormore tasks, subtasks, and/or actions. For example, in FIG. 13A, thefolder 1308 (may also be referred to as a subfolder) is marked green,indicating that the associated particular subtask is on schedule. Twoactions that are required by the particular subtask are indicated ascompleted by marking the corresponding files 1310 a, 1310 b green.Another action that is also a part of the particular subtask has notbeen completed, but is in progress and on-schedule. As such, the file1310 c corresponding to that action is marked yellow.

A file 1312 is marked red indicating that the corresponding action hasnot commenced yet. That action is a part of a subtask corresponding to asubfolder 1314, where that subtask itself is a part of another subtaskcorresponding to a subfolder 1316. Even though the file 1312 is markedred, the subfolders 1314, 1316 are marked green, indicating that thefact that the action corresponding to the file 1312 is not yet completedoes not adversely affect the subtasks corresponding to the subfolders1314, 1316. It also indicates, however, that the action corresponding tothe file 1312 is pending and may need to be completed in due course.

As discussed above, a viewable fractal-based structure representing anunderlying file structure generally corresponds to a referencefractal-based structure. In the foregoing example for instance, manytasks and subtasks associated with the construction of a hydro-electricpower plant may be generally known, where this knowledge can be used toprovide a reference fractal-based structure. Often, however, a largeproject may have some peculiarities that are not present in othersimilar projects. Transmogrification can highlight such peculiarities.

For example, the site of the project described with reference to FIG.13A may be a mountainous region. As such, in order to build an accessroad, it may be necessary to blast off a small mountain top or toconstruct a series of tunnels. A typical task of constructing accessroads, as represented by the folder 1304, may not involve a subtask ofconstructing a tunnel, which is represented by the subfolder 1318 andthe files 1320 a-1320 c contained in the subfolder 1318. As such, thereference fractal-based structure may not include an analog to thesubfolder 1318 and to the files 1320 a-1320 c. As such, duringtransmogrification of the actual file structure associated with theparticular hydro-electric power plant construction project at hand, in aproject special aspects view, the subfolder 1318 and the files 1320a-1320 c may be marked red, to provide a visual indication that some ofthe subtasks of the project are different from those in the referencefractal-based structure.

It should be understood that different transmogrifications may beprovided in different views. For example, the tunnel construction tasksand actions may be peculiar to the project at hand but may beon-schedule. As such, in the task-status view (also called task-progressview), the subfolder 1318 and the files 1320 a-1320 c may not be markedred. In the project special aspects view (also called projectpeculiarities view), however, the subfolder 1318 and the files 1320a-1320 c may be marked red, as discussed above.

FIG. 13B is another transmogrification view, called task-importanceview, that indicates information about the relative importance ofvarious tasks and subtasks so that it can be readily determined whetherthe relatively important tasks or on-schedule, delayed, or stalled. Forexample, the tasks corresponding to the folders 1304, 1306, 1322, and1324 are the main tasks of the project represented by the root-folder1302. In FIG. 13B, the folders 1304 and 1306 are shown to be larger thanthe folders 1322 and 1324, indicating that the tasks corresponding tothe folders 1304 and 1306 are relatively more important than the taskscorresponding to the folders 1322 and 1324. In fact, the size of thesubfolder 1326 is the same as that of the folder 1304, indicating thatthe subtask corresponding to the subfolder 1236 is more important thanthe tasks corresponding to the folders 1322 and 1324. Likewise, thetask-importance view indicates that the relative importance of thetasks/subtasks corresponding to the folders/subfolders 1308, 1316, 1322,and 1324 is approximately the same.

Using the information presented in the task-importance view incombination with the information provided in the task-status view, itcan be readily visualized if any important tasks are delayed or stalled.To this end, in some embodiments, the two views may be depictedside-by-side. In some embodiments, the two views may be aggregated usinga combination of different sizes and different colors.

FIG. 13C depicts a task-dependence view for the project described withreference to FIG. 13A. In particular, if the transmogrification systemdetermines that the representation of a particular file, e.g., the file1326, is to be changed to indicate a change in the status of that file,not only the appearance of the circle 1326 representing the file butalso the respective appearances of the different subfolders and folders,leading up to the root folder 1302, to which the file 1326 belongs, arechanged. In addition, the lines indicating the path 1330 from the rootfolder 1302 up to the file 1326, passing via folders 1324, 1328, may behighlighted. The change in the appearance of a folder/subfolder can be achange in color and/or size of the square (a shape, in general)representing the folder.

This transmogrification can inform a user how the change in the statusof a file may impact other folders and their associated tasks. Thechange in the status of a file (e.g., the file 1326) can be the creationof a new file, deletion of an existing file, or modification of thecontents of a file. As one example, if the contents of the file 1326indicate that financing required for the subtask represented by thefolder 1328 has become available, an action corresponding to a file1332, where that action is part of the subtask represented by the folder1328, may be commenced.

FIG. 13D depicts a filtered task status view for the project describedwith reference to FIG. 13A. Here, one or more files indicative of aparticular status may be selected. For example, a number of differenttasks/subtasks may require inspection by respective inspectors, such asbuilding inspectors, insurance inspectors, etc. With each suchtask/subtask, a respective file may indicate whether the inspection iscomplete and approved, complete but awaiting certification, inspectionis requested and is pending, inspection is yet to be approved, etc.

A filter may be used to select one or more files indicative of aparticular status of interest, such as, e.g., inspection is requestedand is pending. The filter may highlight the files indicating theselected status, such as files 1334 a-1334 d. In addition, the filtermay also highlight the folders and subfolders containing the highlightedfiles, and the paths from the highlighted files to the root folder 1302.The highlighting of these folders, subfolders, files, and paths caninform a user the tasks and subtasks that correspond to the highlightedfolders and subfolders, where such tasks and subtasks may needattention.

The different views described above with reference to FIGS. 13A-13D, andthe filtering described with reference to FIG. 13D may be selectedand/or controlled via a suitable graphical user interface (GUI). To showthat a particular file, folder, or path is selected, or to show that thestatus of a particular file and/or folder has changed, the color orproperties of the color (e.g., saturation, brightness, hue, etc.) ofthat file/folder may be changed. Alternatively, other visual indicatorsmay be used such as changing the shading of the shape representing thefile/folder, adding a pattern to the shape, changing a single-lineborder of the shape to a double-line border, changing the size of theshape, etc.

A complex project typically involves several tasks and subtasks. Manydifferent kinds of data are also typically associated with a complexproject. Examples of such data include, but are not limited to, fieldobservations and tests data, lab tests, analysis and reports derivedfrom such data, filings seeking approvals for undertaking certain tasksand subtasks, granted, conditional, or denied approvals, documentsrelating to financing of certain tasks/subtasks, etc. These data aretypically stored in a database that may provide conventional informationsuch as the identity of the creator of a file, personnel who accessedand/or modified the file or created versions thereof, dates and times atwhich the file was created, accessed, modified, etc.

Conventional file systems or database systems typically do not link theprogress of different tasks and subtasks to the data files associatedwith the project. Likewise, project management tools typically provideinformation about the status and progress of different tasks andsubtasks only, without any links to the data associated with thedifferent tasks and subtasks.

The transmogrification techniques according to various embodiments thatare described herein feature a technical effect and benefit of inferringand providing a visualization of status and progress of different tasksand subtasks associated with a project from the existence, lack ofexistence, and/or contents of data files associated with the project.Another technical effect and benefit of the transmogrificationtechniques, according to some embodiments described herein, is thatrather than presenting the database of the project data as a merecollection of folders, subfolders, and files, the file structureunderlying the project data is presented as a growing tree that allowsfor visualization of project progress.

Yet another technical effect and benefit is that by associating the treewith a reference tree that corresponds to the class of projects to whichthe particular project at hand belongs, a visual representation can beprovided, where the visual representation may indicate whether theproject is progressing in a similar manner as other projects in itsclass or is changing in one or more peculiar ways.

The inferencing and representation of the progress of the project usingthe file structure underlying the project data can be more informativeand intuitive. It also provides the technical effect and benefit ofproviding an enriched database or a file structure, by incorporatingtherein a different kind of time dimension that is not limited only toinforming when a particular file/folder was created, accessed, and/ormodified.

A computing system used to implement various embodiments may includegeneral-purpose computers, vector-based processors, graphics processingunits (GPUs), network appliances, mobile devices, or other electronicsystems capable of receiving network data and performing computations. Acomputing system in general includes one or more processors, one or morememory modules, one or more storage devices, and one or moreinput/output devices that may be interconnected, for example, using asystem bus. The processors are capable of processing instructions storedin a memory module and/or a storage device for execution thereof. Theprocessor can be a single-threaded or a multi-threaded processor. Thememory modules may include volatile and/or non-volatile memory units.

The storage device(s) are capable of providing mass storage for thecomputing system, and may include a non-transitory computer-readablemedium, a hard disk device, an optical disk device, a solid-date drive,a flash drive, or some other large capacity storage devices. Forexample, the storage device may store long-term data (e.g., one or moredata sets or databases, file system data, etc.). The storage device maybe implemented in a distributed way over a network, such as a serverfarm or a set of widely distributed servers, or may be implemented in asingle computing device.

The input/output device(s) facilitate input/output operations for thecomputing system and may include one or more of a network interfacedevices, e.g., an Ethernet card, a serial communication device, e.g., anRS-232 port, and/or a wireless interface device, e.g., an 802.11 card, a3G wireless modem, or a 4G wireless modem. In some implementations, theinput/output device may include driver devices configured to receiveinput data and send output data to other input/output devices, e.g.,keyboard, printer and display devices. In some examples, mobilecomputing devices, mobile communication devices, and other devices maybe used as computing devices.

In some implementations, at least a portion of the approaches describedabove may be realized by instructions that upon execution cause one ormore processing devices to carry out the processes and functionsdescribed above. Such instructions may include, for example, interpretedinstructions such as script instructions, or executable code, or otherinstructions stored in a non-transitory computer readable medium.

Various embodiments and functional operations and processes describedherein may be implemented in other types of digital electroniccircuitry, in tangibly-embodied computer software or firmware, incomputer hardware, including the structures disclosed in thisspecification and their structural equivalents, or in combinations ofone or more of them. Embodiments of the subject matter described in thisspecification can be implemented as one or more computer programs, i.e.,one or more modules of computer program instructions encoded on atangible nonvolatile program carrier for execution by, or to control theoperation of, data processing apparatus. Alternatively or in addition,the program instructions can be encoded on an artificially generatedpropagated signal, e.g., a machine-generated electrical, optical, orelectromagnetic signal that is generated to encode information fortransmission to suitable receiver apparatus for execution by a dataprocessing apparatus. The computer storage medium can be amachine-readable storage device, a machine-readable storage substrate, arandom or serial access memory device, or a combination of one or moreof them.

The term “system” may encompass all kinds of apparatus, devices, andmachines for processing data, including by way of example a programmableprocessor, a computer, or multiple processors or computers. A processingsystem may include special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (fieldprogrammable gate array) or an ASIC (application specific integratedcircuit). A processing system may include, in addition to hardware, codethat creates an execution environment for the computer program inquestion, e.g., code that constitutes processor firmware, a protocolstack, a database management system, an operating system, or acombination of one or more of them.

A computer program (which may also be referred to or described as aprogram, software, a software application, a module, a software module,a script, or code) can be written in any form of programming language,including compiled or interpreted languages, or declarative orprocedural languages, and it can be deployed in any form, including as astandalone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unitsuitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program may, butneed not, correspond to a file in a file system. A program can be storedin a portion of a file that holds other programs or data (e.g., one ormore scripts stored in a markup language document), in a single filededicated to the program in question, or in multiple coordinated files(e.g., files that store one or more modules, sub programs, or portionsof code). A computer program can be deployed to be executed on onecomputer or on multiple computers that are located at one site ordistributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communicationnetwork.

The processes and logic flows described in this specification can beperformed by one or more programmable computers executing one or morecomputer programs to perform functions by operating on input data andgenerating output. The processes and logic flows can also be performedby, and apparatus can also be implemented as, special purpose logiccircuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC(application specific integrated circuit).

Computers suitable for the execution of a computer program can include,by way of example, general or special purpose microprocessors or both,or any other kind of central processing unit. Generally, a centralprocessing unit will receive instructions and data from a read-onlymemory or a random access memory or both. A computer generally includesa central processing unit for performing or executing instructions andone or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Generally,a computer will also include, or be operatively coupled to receive datafrom or transfer data to, or both, one or more mass storage devices forstoring data, e.g., magnetic, magneto optical disks, or optical disks.However, a computer need not have such devices. Moreover, a computer canbe embedded in another device, e.g., a mobile telephone, a personaldigital assistant (PDA), a mobile audio or video player, a game console,a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, or a portable storage device(e.g., a universal serial bus (USB) flash drive), to name just a few.

Computer readable media suitable for storing computer programinstructions and data include all forms of nonvolatile memory, media andmemory devices, including by way of example semiconductor memorydevices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks,e.g., internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto optical disks; andCD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and the memory can besupplemented by, or incorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry.

To provide for interaction with a user, embodiments of the subjectmatter described in this specification can be implemented on a computerhaving a display device, e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquidcrystal display) monitor, for displaying information to the user and akeyboard and a pointing device, e.g., a mouse or a trackball, by whichthe user can provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices canbe used to provide for interaction with a user as well; for example,feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, e.g.,visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input fromthe user can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, ortactile input. In addition, a computer can interact with a user bysending documents to and receiving documents from a device that is usedby the user; for example, by sending web pages to a web browser on auser's user device in response to requests received from the webbrowser.

Embodiments of the subject matter described in this specification can beimplemented in a computing system that includes a back end component,e.g., as a data server, or that includes a middleware component, e.g.,an application server, or that includes a front end component, e.g., aclient computer having a graphical user interface (GUI) or a Web browserthrough which a user can interact with an implementation of the subjectmatter described in this specification, or any combination of one ormore such back end, middleware, or front end components. The componentsof the system can be interconnected by any form or medium of digitaldata communication, e.g., a communication network. Examples ofcommunication networks include a local area network (“LAN”) and a widearea network (“WAN”), e.g., the Internet.

The computing system can include clients and servers. A client andserver are generally remote from each other and typically interactthrough a communication network. The relationship of client and serverarises by virtue of computer programs running on the respectivecomputers and having a client-server relationship to each other.

While this specification contains many specific implementation details,these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of what may beclaimed, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific toparticular embodiments. Certain features that are described in thisspecification in the context of separate embodiments can also beimplemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, variousfeatures that are described in the context of a single embodiment canalso be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in anysuitable sub-combination. Moreover, although features may be describedabove as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed assuch, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some casesbe excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may bedirected to a sub-combination or variation of a sub-combination.

Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particularorder, this should not be understood as requiring that such operationsbe performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, orthat all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirableresults. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processingmay be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various systemcomponents in the embodiments described above should not be understoodas requiring such separation in all embodiments, and it should beunderstood that the described program components and systems cangenerally be integrated together in a single software product orpackaged into multiple software products.

Particular embodiments of the subject matter have been described. Otherembodiments are within the scope of the following claims. For example,the actions recited in the claims can be performed in a different orderand still achieve desirable results. As one example, the processesdepicted in the accompanying figures do not necessarily require theparticular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirableresults. In certain implementations, multitasking and parallelprocessing may be advantageous. Other steps or stages may be provided,or steps or stages may be eliminated, from the described processes.Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the followingclaims.

The phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. The term“approximately”, the phrase “approximately equal to”, and other similarphrases, as used in the specification and the claims (e.g., “X has avalue of approximately Y” or “X is approximately equal to Y”), should beunderstood to mean that one value (X) is within a predetermined range ofanother value (Y). The predetermined range may be plus or minus 20%,10%, 5%, 3%, 1%, 0.1%, or less than 0.1%, unless otherwise indicated.

The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used in the specification andin the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should beunderstood to mean “at least one.” The phrase “and/or,” as used in thespecification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either orboth” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that areconjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in othercases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in thesame fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Otherelements may optionally be present other than the elements specificallyidentified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to thoseelements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, areference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-endedlanguage such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only(optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, toB only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet anotherembodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.

As used in the specification and in the claims, “or” should beunderstood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. Forexample, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall beinterpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, butalso including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and,optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated tothe contrary, such as “only one of or “exactly one of,” or, when used inthe claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly oneelement of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” asused shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives(i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms ofexclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly oneof.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall haveits ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

As used in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at leastone,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should beunderstood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more ofthe elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including atleast one of each and every element specifically listed within the listof elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the listof elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally bepresent other than the elements specifically identified within the listof elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether relatedor unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as anon-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “atleast one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) canrefer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including morethan one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements otherthan B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally includingmore than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elementsother than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionallyincluding more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including morethan one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

The use of “including,” “comprising,” “having,” “containing,”“involving,” and variations thereof, is meant to encompass the itemslisted thereafter and additional items. Use of ordinal terms such as“first,” “second,” “third,” etc., in the claims to modify a claimelement does not by itself connote any priority, precedence, or order ofone claim element over another or the temporal order in which acts of amethod are performed. Ordinal terms are used merely as labels todistinguish one claim element having a certain name from another elementhaving a same name (but for use of the ordinal term), to distinguish theclaim elements.

1. A method for efficiently organizing, storing, searching, accessing,and analyzing project data and for visualizing project progress, themethod comprising steps of: selecting for a specified project, areference fractal-based structure based on, at least in part: (i) typeof the specified project and (ii) a mapping between project types andreference fractal-based structures; organizing and storing by aprocessor a plurality of project files in a file structure correspondingto the selected reference fractal-based structure; transmogrifying bythe processor the file structure into a digitally produced viewablefractal-based structure; and displaying by the processor the viewablefractal-based structure.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein: the viewablefractal-based structure corresponds to the reference fractal-basedstructure, wherein the reference fractal-based structure: (i) comprisesa nature-based structure; (ii) is based on a set of organizationprinciples and frameworks, or (iii) is based on a Lindenmayer system.3-5. (canceled)
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein: a first file in theplurality of files is associated with a first project task; and theviewable fractal-based structure comprises a first branch correspondingto the first project task.
 7. (canceled)
 8. The method of claim 1,wherein a first file in the plurality of files is associated with afirst project task, the first file indicating that a status of the firstproject task is spawning of a subtask, the method further comprising:receiving by the processor a second file corresponding to the subtask;modifying by the processor the file structure according to the subtask;storing the second file in the modified file structure; transmogrifyingby the processor the modified file structure into a modified viewablefractal-based structure; and displaying by the processor the modifiedviewable fractal-based structure.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein: theselected reference fractal-based structure comprises a plurality ofreference branches, each reference branch corresponding to a particularproject task from a plurality of project tasks; a first reference branchis associated with a first project task and comprises a subset of theplurality of reference branches, each reference branch in the subsetcorresponding to a respective sub-task associated with the first projecttask; a respective unique mnemonic is associated with each referencebranch; and the project file structure comprises a plurality of folders,each folder being associated with a particular reference branch. 10-18.(canceled)
 19. The method of claim 1, wherein the viewable fractal-basedstructure comprises an interactive fractal-based structure. 20-21.(canceled)
 22. The method of claim 1, wherein the viewable fractal-basedstructure comprises an interactive two-dimensional structure or aninteractive three-dimensional structure.
 23. (canceled)
 24. The methodof claim 1, wherein: the viewable fractal-based structure is displayedin a first panel in a multi-panel dashboard; and the multi-paneldashboard comprises a calendar, a team table, or a news feed, eachcorresponding to one or more tasks corresponding to at least a portionof the viewable fractal-based structure.
 25. The method of claim 1,wherein: the reference fractal-based structure comprises a nature-basedstructure; and the viewable fractal-based structure comprises thenature-based structure, wherein: the nature-based structure comprises atree structure or a plant structure, each of the tree and plantstructures comprising a root structure.
 26. The method of claim 1,wherein: the transmogrifying comprises presenting one or more views ofthe file structure, each view indicating status or progress of one ormore respective tasks of the specified project. 27-30. (canceled)
 31. Asystem for efficiently organizing, storing, accessing, and analyzingproject data and for visualizing project progress, the systemcomprising: a processor; a display unit in electronic communication withthe processor; and a memory in communication with the processor andcomprising instructions which, when executed by the processor, programthe processor to: select for a specified project, a referencefractal-based structure based on, at least in part: (i) type of thespecified project and (ii) a mapping between project types and referencefractal-based structures; organize and store a plurality of projectfiles in a file structure corresponding to the selected referencefractal-based structure; transmogrify and digitally produce, based on atleast in part an aspect ratio of the display unit, the file structureinto a viewable fractal-based structure; and display the viewablefractal-based structure on the display unit.
 32. The system of claim 31,wherein: the viewable fractal-based structure corresponds to thereference fractal-based structure, wherein the reference fractal-basedstructure: (i) comprises a nature-based structure; (ii) is based on aset of organization principles and frameworks, or (iii) is based on aLindenmayer system. 33-35. (canceled)
 36. The system of claim 31,wherein: a first file in the plurality of files is associated with afirst project task; and the viewable fractal-based structure comprises afirst branch corresponding to the first project task.
 37. (canceled) 38.The system of claim 31, wherein: a first file in the plurality of filesis associated with a first project task, the first file indicating thata status of the first project task is spawning of a subtask; and theinstructions further program the processor to: receive a second filecorresponding to the subtask; modify the file structure according to thesubtask; store the second file in the modified file structure;transmogrify the modified file structure into a modified viewablefractal-based structure; and display the modified viewable fractal-basedstructure.
 39. The system of claim 31, wherein: the selected referencefractal-based structure comprises a plurality of reference branches,each reference branch corresponding to a particular project task from aplurality of project tasks; a first reference branch is associated witha first project task and comprises a subset of the plurality ofreference branches, each reference branch in the subset corresponding toa respective sub-task associated with the first project task; arespective unique mnemonic is associated with each reference branch; andthe project file structure comprises a plurality of folders, each folderbeing associated with a particular reference branch. 40-48. (canceled)49. The system of claim 31, wherein the viewable fractal-based structurecomprises an interactive fractal-based structure. 50-51. (canceled) 52.The system of claim 31, wherein the viewable fractal-based structurecomprises an interactive two-dimensional structure or an interactivethree-dimensional structure.
 53. (canceled)
 54. The system of claim 31,wherein the instructions program the processor to: display the viewablefractal-based structure in a first panel in a multi-panel dashboard,wherein the multi-panel dashboard comprises a calendar, a team table, ora news feed, each corresponding to one or more tasks corresponding to atleast a portion of the viewable fractal-based structure.
 55. The systemof claim 31, wherein: the reference fractal-based structure comprises anature-based structure; and the viewable fractal-based structurecomprises the nature-based structure, wherein: the nature-basedstructure comprises a tree structure or a plant structure, each of thetree and plant structures comprising a root structure.
 56. The system ofclaim 31, wherein to transmogrify, the instructions program theprocessor to: present one or more views of the file structure, each viewindicating status or progress of one or more respective tasks of thespecified project. 57-60. (canceled)